Friday, February 16, 2018

I have been
under a bunch of deadlines for editing and writing... and had a bunch of fresh
new health issues pop up over the past couple of weeks...but despite being late
posting this, I am SUPER EXCITED to be returning to Boskone this year! And
DAMN, look at that great schedule!

And if I’m not
on a panel... I’ll likely be found at the Broad Universe table in the Dealer’s
Room...

or, if it’s
Friday Night, I’ll be throwing the Broad Universe Party again!Look for us on the hotel Party Floor!

Outside of
tabling and partying, here’s my fabulous schedule:

Tarot and Divining Fantastic Fiction

Format: Discussion Group

16
Feb 2018, Friday 17:00 - 18:00, Lewis (Westin)

Author
and Tarot guru Trisha Wooldridge leads a discussion on Tarot, fortune-telling,
and the art of the seer in fantasy and science fiction. Trisha will provide a
live demonstration.

Trisha
Wooldridge

Folktales Within Poetry

Format: Panel

16
Feb 2018, Friday 18:00 - 19:00, Marina 3 (Westin)

From “The
Lady of Shalott” to “Goblin Market” to The Iliad, some quite engaging
poems are inspired by folklore, legends, or myths. What other examples can we
add — perhaps from non-European poetry? What do folk sources bring that an
original story might lack? Our panelists will discuss (and perhaps read) some
of their favorites — what are yours?

This
is a special group reading designed to generate a larger crowd in order to
introduce more people to the work highlighted in the session. There may only be
5 chairs at the table. If so, we ask that the moderator has a couple extra
chairs moved to the table area. The group reading is scheduled for 50 minutes
and each reader has 5-minutes to read. Please be sure to time your reading to ensure
that you don't go over time. The "moderator" is assigned to welcome
everyone to the reading and announce that each reader will introduce
herself/himself along with their piece as their turn to read comes up. If there
is time available, please open the room to questions.

Border of the Unknown

Format: Panel

17
Feb 2018, Saturday 17:00 - 18:00, Marina 1 (Westin)

Much fine
fantastika involves crossing the boundary between the known and the unknown —
especially that uneasy border between the village and the trees. Let's look at
the long history of that great unknown, the enchanted forest. Why has it pushed
and pulled at people’s imaginations since ancient times? To find out, let’s
stroll away from safety and into the woods, as the liminal light fades and the
shadows gather all under the boughs unbowed …

Live
from Boskone: A special selection of tall tales as told by our program
participants — plus audience members. All show off their open mic skills in the
third annual Boskone Open Mic extravaganza. This year features the myths and
legends of yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Each participant contributes his/her
most legendary performance — a 5-minute story, poem, song, skit, interpretive
dance, or whatever!

OPTIONAL: For extra appeal, feel free to come dressed as your
favorite mythic or legendary character.
The Rules: Boskone members are invited to join our participants in the open
mic by signing up for one of the six open slots at the door to the event, which
opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is given a firm 5-minute time
limit (max), including setup time. So a quick transition between acts is key.
Please no profanity: DragonsLair is within hearing distance.

It’s
a notable year for Neil Gaiman, with publication anniversaries for his
engaging, ironic dark fantasies The Graveyard Book (10th) and The
Ocean at the End of the Lane (5th) — plus from his lighter side, Don't
Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion (30th).
Let's gab about his novels and stories, comics and characters, movies and TV
adaptations and rock-star aura.